PRIMERA MATCH REPORT

Real Sociedad kept alive their hopes of Europa League qualification after battling from behind to secure a draw against in-form Malaga.

A penalty on the half hour mark from Xabi Prieto gave the Basque side the lead but Luis Hernandez’s goal on the stroke of half time gave Michel’s men parity at the break.

Jose Recio looked to have won it for the Andalucians with a strike from range with only 15 minutes left on the clock, but Jon Bautista levelled for the hosts five minutes from time after Inigo Martinez’s pinpoint cross.

The result leaves La Real a point off 5th-placed Villarreal and behind Basque rivals Athletic Club on head-to-head, with a sixth-placed finish or better required for European qualification.

Eusebio Sacristan’s men must now get a positive result at Celta Vigo on the final day of the season and hope Villarreal (away to Valencia) or Athletic Bilbao (away to Atletico Madrid) slip up, while Malaga finish at home to Real Madrid.